Naval Staff
Lieutenant Kai Hinton
Sophomore Advisor
Assistant Professor of Naval Science
LT Kai Hinton, of West Sacramento, California, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He ran Division I cross country as well as track and field for four years at the Naval Academy. He is pursuing a master’s in aerospace engineering with a focus on bioastronautics at CU Boulder and plans on pursuing medicine once done.
LT Hinton commissioned as a Submarine Warfare Officer and, upon finishing the nuclear training pipeline, reported to his first sea duty assignment aboard the Los-Angeles class fast-attack submarine, USS TOPEKA. His 36-month tour included three deployments to the Pacific and one deployment to the Arctic. His billets included Reactor Control Officer, Damage Control Officer, Ship’s Diving Officer, and Assistant Engineer.
In March 2021, LT Hinton transferred to a non-traditional shore tour in Manama, Bahrain, to serve as the Director of Current Operations in the multi-national coalition, Combined Maritime Forces, which was comprised of 34 individual nations. Their mission was to police drug and human trafficking operations, serve in a humanitarian assistance capacity, and assist in regional partnership development. During this time, LT Hinton was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for his support evacuating refugees from Afghanistan.
LT Hinton’s personal awards include a Navy Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado Boulder as the Nuclear Programs Officer on staff, 3rd Class Midshipmen Advisor, and Naval Weapons and Engineering Instructor.
Lieutenant Elijah Jones
Freshman Advisor
Assistant Professor of Naval Science
LT Elijah Jones, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, graduated from high school in 2015 and went on to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in Japanese.
Commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer, he reported to his first sea duty assignment in February 2020 onboard USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG-54) in Yokosuka, Japan, serving as Ordnance Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, and Combat Information Center Officer. During his time onboard, he completed three Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Japan (FDNF-J) in the East and South China Seas, as well as a homeport shift to San Diego, CA.
In 2022, LT Jones transferred to USS DEWEY (DDG-105) in Yokosuka, Japan, where he served as the ship’s Navigator. He participated in multiple FDNF-J patrols, multi-national exercises, and Freedom of Navigation Operations. During the 2024 FDNF-J Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training, he was selected as Force Navigator, responsible for the safe navigation of six U.S. and Japanese warships.
LT Jones's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and various other awards. He is currently assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Colorado as the Surface Warfare Officer on staff, 4/C Advisor, and Navigation Instructor.